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SPIB - Overcoming bottlenecks and labor shortage at once
“We now have a production setup that operates at the highest level, without bottlenecks.”
Mickael Charrier
Co-owner, SPIB
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THE CHALLENGE
Before partnering with Voortman, SPIB faced a familiar issue in steel fabrication. Growth was limited by internal bottlenecks and a shortage of skilled labor. Their projects required fast turnaround times, often between three to four months from start to completion. Maintaining this speed while scaling production was becoming increasingly difficult.
Manual processes, especially in welding, created inconsistencies and slowed down throughput. At the same time, hiring additional skilled operators was not a sustainable solution. SPIB needed a way to increase output without significantly increasing workforce size or complexity on the shop floor.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
SPIB turned to Voortman to redesign part of their production process. The solution centered around the implementation of the Fabricator welding robot with CNC control, combined with improvements in material flow across the workshop. What stood out to SPIB was not just the machine itself, but the broader production vision. Voortman proposed a setup where processes were better distributed, allowing for smoother transitions between operations and fewer delays.
THE SOLUTION
SPIB turned to Voortman to redesign part of their production process. The solution centered around the implementation of the Fabricator welding robot with CNC control, combined with improvements in material flow across the workshop.
What stood out to SPIB was not just the machine itself, but the broader production vision. Voortman proposed a setup where processes were better distributed, allowing for smoother transitions between operations and fewer delays.
The Fabricator welding robot is at the core of SPIB’s production improvement. Its value goes beyond automation. As Mickael Charrier explains, “we needed to remove bottlenecks without making production more complex.” The system has changed how welding fits into their overall process.
One of the most important functionalities is the dual working zone. The machine is split into two areas, allowing operators to prepare one beam while the robot welds another. This creates a continuous workflow. Ludovic Charrier describes it simply: “while one side is welding, the other side is already being prepared.” This parallel setup removes waiting time between cycles and keeps production moving.
“With this setup, we can increase production without depending on additional skilled labor”
Ludovic Charrier, Co-owner SPIB
Integration with LogicSteel software further simplifies operations. One programmer can manage the full system, from defining welds to sending jobs to production. “One person can handle the programming, which makes everything more structured,” Ludovic Charrier explains. This central control reduces the need for manual interpretation on the shop floor and lowers the risk of mistakes.
Finally, reliability ties everything together. The system delivers consistent performance, which improves planning and confidence in delivery times. As Mickael Charrier concludes, “today, we have a production that runs without bottlenecks.”
NEW POSSIBILITIES
The impact on production was clear. SPIB increased its output by around 500 tons, with only a small increase in the number of operators. At the same time, internal bottlenecks were eliminated, creating a smoother and more predictable workflow.
The company now operates at a higher level of efficiency, with a production setup that supports its growth ambitions. With improved capacity and reliability, SPIB is well positioned to expand further into industrial and infrastructure projects.
Looking ahead, automation will remain a key part of their strategy. The foundation is now in place to scale without compromising on lead times or quality.
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